Saudi authorities have detained Egyptian citizen Ahmed Kamel, who faces a serious risk of torture if extradited to Egypt. Human Rights Watch has called for his immediate release, citing potential violations of international law regarding his treatment in Egypt. Kamel’s case highlights broader issues of human rights abuses linked to extradition processes in the region.
Saudi authorities are urged not to extradite Egyptian national Ahmed Kamel, who is at substantial risk of arbitrary detention and torture in Egypt, according to Human Rights Watch. Kamel was detained in Jeddah on November 13, 2024, due to an alleged extradition request from Egypt, which stems from a previous life sentence issued against him in absentia for participating in anti-government protests in 2014.
Human Rights Watch emphasizes the need for Kamel’s immediate release and the rejection of the extradition request given the intense violations within the Egyptian criminal justice system. Additionally, Kamel was moved to al-Shumaisi detention center, heightening fears of imminent deportation.
Kamel was detained following a summons from Saudi authorities, who indicated that Egypt requested his extradition through Interpol. Despite this, Interpol confirmed that there were no relevant data in their system regarding Kamel. Moreover, Saudi officials have failed to disclose the charges against him or provide any information about his case to his lawyer.
Past records show that Kamel endured severe treatment in Egypt, having experienced torture and unjust imprisonment after his participation in protests in 2011 and 2013. He served in the military for a year after being released and moved to Saudi Arabia for work in 2015, where he has faced recurring legal challenges.
Kamel’s extradition risks violating Saudi Arabia’s commitments under international law, particularly in regard to UN conventions against torture, which prohibit the extradition of individuals to nations where they face substantial risks of torture and improper treatment. The implications of his return could mean exposure to severe due process infringements and the potential for torture.
Recent cases highlight that Saudi Arabia has previously detained Egyptians critical of their government. An example is psychiatrist Sabri Shalabi, imprisoned unjustly since 2020. Calls for Kamel’s release resonate with broader concerns over human rights practices in both Saudi Arabia and Egypt, advocating for a halt to his extradition.
The situation surrounding Ahmed Kamel exemplifies the grave human rights challenges associated with extradition practices. As Kamel faces possible torture and arbitrary detention in Egypt, the urgency for Saudi Arabia to adhere to international human rights standards becomes critical. The involvement of organizations like Human Rights Watch underscores the ongoing scrutiny of both nations’ legal systems and their treatment of dissenting voices.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
